Sam Woosnam returns as Cobras head coach

Sam Woosnam has re-signed as head coach of the Kilsyth Lady Cobras for their debut season in the new Victorian Elite State League (official name to be announced).

Woosnam returns for a sixth season to lead the Lady Cobras, following yet another standout 2018 campaign which saw Kilsyth finish with the (now-defunct) SEABL’s second best regular season record at 15-5. The Lady Cobras advanced to the SEABL Preliminary Final in 2018 before bowing out to eventual champions, the Bendigo Braves, marking the fourth consecutive season that Woosnam and co. have reached the postseason final four.

“I am happy to return as head coach of the Lady Cobras for the 2019 season,” Woosnam said.

“I’d like to thank everyone at Kilsyth for their continued support; it’s such a great club to be involved with and can’t wait to get started and have a successful year ahead.”

If history is anything to go by, Woosnam indeed has the Lady Cobras positioned for a big year ahead. She’s amassed an incredible 85-26 record- a .766 winning percentage – during her five years with Kilsyth; the best record in the SEABL since 2014. Woosnam will now look to build on the Lady Cobras dominance in the league to succeed the SEABL, with the 2016 Coach of the Year excited to battle it out in a new-look competition — and do so with some new faces.

“It’s an exciting time with the formation of the new league and I’m looking forward to the challenges that it will bring,” Woosnam said.

“Without giving too much away right now, we will be a new-look team. Some old homegrown faces will return and I am extremely excited about the group we will put together.

“It will be an exciting team to watch.”

Manager of Basketball Operations, Mark Watkins, echoed Woosnam’s remarks, with the Lady Cobras set to roll out a fresh look come 2019.

It is great to have Sam back after making the playoffs once again in 2018,” Watkins added.

“She will be making a few adjustments with her recruiting, with Sarah Parsons and Rosie Moult retiring and the likelihood of finding new import players.”

Player signings and news on the new league for 2019 will be announced in the upcoming weeks.

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